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Maserati Levante Goes on Two Wheels, Attempts Some Light Off-Roading

The Maserati Levante received mixed reviews after its launch this year. A lot hangs in the balance here, as the Italians have invested heavily into the development of the first SUV in the company's history. So a stunt video here and there can't hurt, right?
Maserati Levante Goes on Two Wheels, Attempts Some Light Off-Roading 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
Geneva, New York, Shanghai - these are places where the Levante was shown statically. That might work for a Volvo or an Audi, but all Maseratis become beautiful when moving and seem odd standing still.

A joyride in this particular official video might have been the most hair-raising experience this side of a BMW X5 M. The Levante is pushed hard into corners and at one point it even turns into a 2-wheeler. Amazing stuff!

Where we are less than impressed with the crossover is in the off-road department. Maserati prepared the easiest obstacle course ever. The water is barely deep enough to get the alloys wet, and there's no cross-axle testing going on. Compare that to the SEAT Ateca experience in Spain recently and you'll see what we are on about.

The Porsche Cayenne can do a lot more in this department, even in hardcore Turbo form. As we've mentioned already, the looks can't save it, nor is the Levante very cheap.

If you live in America, the base model will set you back $72,000 before handling, and for that, you'll get a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine tuned by Ferrari that makes 345 horsepower. AWD and an 8-speed automatic are standard across the range. Even though Maserati is famous for their V8 engines, you can't get one here.

With plenty of sporty alternatives coming from Jaguar, Land Rover, BMW and the other Germans, we'd think long and hard before buying the Maserati SUV. Oh, and did we mention there's a brand new Cayenne out next year?

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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